Paintings in their ‘spare’ time

In the 18th and 19th century Canada, and in the United States, much of art was seen as ‘women’s work’ . Men it seems, were much too busy with business or making a mark on the new land to bother with culture… By the end of the 19th century cities in eastern North America enjoyed an active cultural scene; but still much of our vision of early Canada is seen through the eyes of gifted young women artists who, as the wives and homemakers, did watercolours and paintings in their ‘spare’ time. In short the burden of culture was often thrust upon the shoulders of the educated women of early Canada. they played their role well. It is unfortunate that some of the ‘Macho’ attitude toward culture remains part of Canadian life today” — Virgil Hammock, Art at Mount Allison (Sackville : Sackville Art Association and Mount Allison University, 1977) , 5.